The funeral for Windows XP shouldn't have caused too much of
a rift in the space-time continuum considering that Windows Vista is currently
available to fill its shoes, but things haven't gone over so swiftly. The planned funeral for Windows XP has been confounded by
two issues, 1) the rise of low-cost notebooks which are taking advantage of
Linux-based operating systems and 2) the fact that Windows Vista is too
resource hungry to run with respectable performance on such machines.

Microsoft will now make Windows XP Home available for what
it calls ultra-low-cost PCs (ULPCs) until June 30, 2010 or one year after the release of the next version of Windows; whichever is later. Microsoft goes on to
state that it "Heard from partners and customers that they
want Windows broadly available for this new class of devices, because they want
the familiarity, compatibility and support only available on the Windows
platform."

Microsoft also acknowledged that Windows XP makes more sense than Windows Vista for these machines adding, "While Windows Vista provides many benefits, including an easier and
more secure user experience, Windows XP Home provides an effective
solution on these devices from a performance and cost perspective."

Consumers should be glad to hear that the flood of new,
low-cost notebooks from Intel, ASUS, ECS,
and Everex
will continue to be available with Windows XP for the next two years. Microsoft
can also rest assured that it won't be missing out on a growing, lucrative
segment of the PC market.

For those that are looking to see other versions of Windows
extended beyond the June 30, 2008 date, you're out of luck. Only XP Home will
get a reprieve from Microsoft.

"It looks like the iPhone 4 might be their Vista, and I'm okay with that." -- Microsoft COO Kevin Turner